Sources:
- Gray tee – Gap, thrifted
- Navy skirt – J.Crew
- Black patent sandals – Target
- Pendant – Anthropologie
- Bike – Electra Hawaii Cruiser
- Helmet – Nutcase
Endnotes:
I apologize for the poor quality of this picture, but this photo was taken pretty late in the day as T. and I set out for an outdoor concert on our local college campus. (You can read all about that here, should you be so inclined). This was by far one of my favorite ‘dates’ we’ve had recently and one I’m sure we’ll repeat. Since the evening would go down as a date and we would be cycling, I needed an outfit that would meet the criteria of both….enter What Would a Nerd Wear.
Tania of What Would a Nerd Wear is one of my favorite style bloggers and not only does she look super cute all the time, she also does so while riding her gorgeous vintage bike. So she would to be my outfit muse for this one…
One of Tania’s signature looks is pairing a simple fitted top with a high-waisted fuller skirt. This ensemble always ends up looking polished while still playful and laid-back. I have long shied away from this particular silhouette because I tend to want to hide my midsection and wear things that flow away from my torso, but sometimes a bit of experimenting with new shapes and lines is all you need to spruce up an old wardrobe. And I’ve found that wearing a high waisted skirt that fits well with a not-too-tight tucked in top can actually create that coveted silhouette of the small waisted even for those of us not blessed by nature in that department.
I also love the juxtaposition of the plain and simple gray cotton tee paired with the more polished and formal navy skirt. And I’ve discovered a new favorite for cycling; while this skirt is on the shorter side, the stiffer and heavier material translated into it staying in place and hardly blowing ‘open’ while pedaling … win!
Thanks, Tania, for a great outfit idea. I know I’ll be replicating this look a lot more this summer, be it for bike dates, coffee shop outings, or even just for showing off to my dog at home. S.
Hah! You’re right – that is a signature Tania look!
thanks so much, s.! it’s hilarious to see all those pictures lined up–repetitive much?
not only is it a huge honor to be your muse but when i saw this outfit on ‘simply bike,’ i thought “whoa, i would totally wear that! i hope she posts the details on academichic.”
thanks for the shout-out–it’s made my day to have one of my style icons using me for inspiration.
I love the simplicity of the color and shape pairings here. So cute!
I love “What Would a Nerd Wear” and how you channeled her style for inspiration! What a great, simple outfit!
Tania definitely has some inspiring style (with or without the bike)!
I often bike in full skirts, and just as often my skirt rides up so high it feels like biking down the street in panties. Liberating, I suppose, but also a tad scandalous. Any ideas on this front? I’ve tried wearing generic spanx-type bike-short undies underneath, but THOSE tend to ride up while I’m walking, so…. uh…. can anyone help me?
Love the look! I never thought about making sure to have a cinched waist so the skirt doesn’t ride up but now I know! Thanks for the tip : )
Cute and simple and I love your bike!
Daisy Dayz Home
Rebekah- I usually use a binder clip or a clothespin and clip the skirt or dress together, hem to hem, between my legs. The clothespin weights down the skirt a little and provides protection from rogue wind gusts, but still allows plenty of freedom of movement.
Also, it is easily removed after my ride and clipped to my basket or brake cables until I need it again. Hope that helps!
@Rebekah
I did have the same problem. But then I found a great trick and now I use document clips ore cloth pins to pin front and back of the skirt together between my legs to create fake pants and prevent the skirt from riding up.
Evelyn and Petra — Aha! Thank you both so much! The Dollar Tree sells clothespins. I’ll give it a go. Whoo hoo! =)
You guys look like bike-riding, style sisters…. This is a great silhouette for you too!